“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, proving one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26 Today’s Christian daily devotional
“Oh Julia, you’re so American!” My grandmother admonishes me in her polite little way. Batting her eyelashes she blushes while swatting me weakly.
I can’t help myself—It gives me pleasures to provoke her. That giggle of hers is truly priceless. From her petite frame, to her tiny laugh–everything about my grandmother is small and delicate; with exception to the large place she occupies in my heart.
Generous, gentle, gracious and kind are the best words to describe one of my all-time favorite person in the world. But, none of those definitions ever seems to accurately encompass all she really is. Sometimes, there are no words.
As much as I would like to imagine that these beautiful qualities flow effortlessly through my veins, I would be lying like nobody’s business if I claimed them for my own.
Truth be told, it definitely wouldn’t hurt me to learn a few more lessons from my dear Japanese grandmother.
The sad thing is my precious Obachan is no longer alive.
It doesn’t matter how many years have passed since her death, I regret not asking her more questions while she was with me.
I imagine: “How’d you become so…awesome?” would be my first.
Reading Galatians 5:22-26 instantly brings her to mind. Instead of getting discouraged that I could never meet the impossible marks of perfection listed in these verses, I reminded myself that I can honor my grandmother’s memory by really taking hold of it.
Although my veins pump the bloodline of her lineage, I actually have a more powerful legacy encased in my soul: the mind and heart of Christ Himself.
After asking Jesus into my heart, I noticed many things inside starting to change—for the better. But, that was only the beginning of my salvation experience!
Over time, wrong thinking, addictive behaviors and mental hang-ups started to fade into a distant memory for me. Now, whenever I read Galatians 5:22-26, instead of losing hope, I feel it rising up on the inside of me. I no longer doubt that change can happen.
This is not only because I’m determined to change, but also because I have learned that true change can only happen when you give God complete control.
In honor of you, Obachan. I will do just that.
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I’m really sick of my own excuses. To be a person of excellence is no accident. It is the result of many good decisions over a long period of time.
I have to admit that I gave up on myself a while ago. I figured I was too far-gone in making bad choices to ever really enjoy true wisdom or freedom.
I realize that this is a lie from the pit of hell. The enemy of my soul would love for me to get discouraged and just give up.
Well, I do give up. I give up trying to do this in my own effort. It’s going to take some supernatural power to change me, Lord. But, I know you’re up for the task and you have been waiting for me to just give up and ask you for help.
Today, I’m ready to turn that corner. It’s time for me to grow and shine.
I have very little of the character qualities that are listed in Galatians 5:22-26. But, I do have the seed of Christ on the inside of me. And, with HIM, I can do anything.
In Jesus’ precious name, I speak Galatians 5:22-26 over my life. I will be all that I can be. Help me! Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Galatians 5:22-26
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan